It's Never Too Early, or Too Late to Plan Your Life

I frequently meet people in their forties, fifties and sixties who have built their life around a career that someone else told them they would be good at–an uncle urged them to follow in his footsteps and go into law, a teacher saw talent in science and talked them into going to medical school–yet they feel they have spent their entire lives doing things that have not brought them the satisfaction they desire.

As a college student, the big important question is “What’s your major?” In order to have an answer to give, it is tempting to grab for anything that seems remotely interesting that some family member, friend, or teacher has recommended. And before you know it, you are well on your way to a career with a mortgage, family and, eventually, college payments for your own children and feeling trapped in that career–fulfilling or not.

It is wonderful to have someone mentor you, someone who cares enough to make suggestions for you and help you with those challenging life questions. But if you get caught up in wanting to please them in that moment of uncertainty, they end up being the shapers and decision makers of your future, and not you.

If you are well beyond the college years, you have probably established yourself in a career, like it or not, and you are starting to think about what’s next, as you wind that career down. 

While searching for direction, it is vital to take the time to ask yourself some deep questions–“What it is that I feel passionate about? What gifts do I have that I enjoy giving to others? What in my heart of hearts would I do with my life if I knew I could not fail and money was no object?” “What engages me with life in a way that energizes and inspires me?”

“What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver

As you explore these questions, the seeds of your life’s purpose that have the potential to bloom into a life full of rich adventure and magic begin to reveal themselves. The answers to these questions evolve over time, according to what passage of life you are navigating. Whether you are at the beginning, middle, or end of your career, there is plenty of living to do.